6 Tricks To Layer On Stakes
6 Tricks to Layer on Stakes
Every great story has stakes–things that are at risk throughout the plot. It might be that the protagonist’s life is at risk, or perhaps a romantic relationship, or maybe the opportunity to go on a long-awaited trip. Years ago, I had a hard time understanding stakes, and I think it was in part because they were often defined vaguely. Everything clicked when I realized that they are really potential consequences, which is how I prefer to define them now.
Stakes are significant events that could happen, and they include a sense of cause and effect. Typically, you can fit stakes into an “if … then … ” statement (even if it’s not literally written as one in the text):
“If I don’t defeat [the antagonist], then he’ll hurt my family.”“If you become a vampire, then the only thing you’ll love is blood.”“If we don’t fight back, then he’ll take all our land, our homes, our lives we built.” “If we don’t keep moving, then dehydration will kill us.”
Great stakes are closely related to tension, suspense, and hooks. All three get the audience to look forward and anticipate what could happen, usually by getting the audience to hope or fear a potential consequence. The audience then has to keep reading to discover the actual outcome.
All easier said than done. For many writers, stakes can be difficult to get on the page specifically because they require the writer to brainstorm possible, future outcomes–some of which may not actually happen.
For example, say your characters are stranded in a desert. They decide if they don’t keep moving, they could die of dehydration. But perhaps, in reality, it turns out if they had stayed put, they would have been rescued. Stakes aren’t always about what actually happens. Remember, they are about risk.
In a page-turner of a story, you’ll want to brainstorm and put in much more stakes, or potential consequences, in the text than what actually happens. For some of us, it’s hard to brainstorm enough of those, so here are some tricks.
1. Look at both positive and negative potential consequences.
When it comes to stakes, we often focus on the negative … because that is what is at risk.
“If [the protagonist] doesn’t defeat [the antagonist], [the antagonist] will take over the world.”
But putting positive outcomes on the page can sometimes be just as effective.
“If Samantha can nail this audition, then she can finally star in a movie.”
In this example, a positive potential consequence is what is at risk. Sure, we could change it to a negative–if she doesn’t nail the audition, she can’t star in a movie.
But the exercise of looking at both positive and negative potential consequences can help you brainstorm new ones. After all, if we were only looking at the negative, we may not have come up with “starring in a movie.”
2. Add to the cause-and-effect trajectory
Once you have one stake on the page, you can often add more to it, by taking the cause-and-effect trajectory out further. Suzanne Collins does this well in the opening of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
If the protagonist can’t eat cabbage soup, then he can’t get his stomach to stop growling (consequence #1), which means people will realize he’s poor, not rich (consequence #2), which means his reputation will be ruined (consequence #3), which means he’ll lose his opportunity to be a mentor through his school program (consequence #4), which means he’ll unlikely be able to meet the credentials needed for college (consequence #5), which means his family won’t be taken care of (consequence #6), which means his cousin might have to succumb to prostitution (consequence #7).
Whew, that’s a lot that hinges on making cabbage soup. Suddenly finding out whether or not the cabbage soup is going to work feels way more important!
You don’t have to take it out that far, but hopefully you get the idea.
3. Consider broad potential consequences
Another helpful approach is to look at how a potential consequence can have broader ramifications.
This works even with personal matters.
“If Jasper doesn’t return Emily’s love with a proposal, her descendants may be doomed to live in poverty.”
Here, something personal, love, has been broadened to include a family line–all of Emily’s children.
“If George doesn’t get to water, he could die of dehydration, which means his evil uncle could take the throne.”
In this example, the protagonist’s possible death affects a whole kingdom.
4. Consider personal potential consequences
A reverse of the previous is to look at ways to make potential outcomes more personal.
“If I don’t defeat the antagonist, he’ll take over the world–my mom, dad, Frankie, my entire hometown won’t survive.”
Here we move from a broad problem to a personal risk.
5. Pull in other cause-and-effect trajectories
In most stories, there are multiple cause-and-effect trajectories at work–this is what makes up the plot. There might be a primary plot, a secondary plot, tertiary plot, etc. There might be cause-and-effect trajectories that only last for several chapters or less.
One way to brainstorm more stakes, is to try to connect the current situation to an indirect stake.
For example, say in one plotline, the protagonist is concerned about training her dog. In another plotline, she’s concerned about getting her love interest to take notice of her. They may seem pretty unrelated, but you can look for ways to make them connect. If she can’t get her dog trained, then Fido might decide to try to chase after the love interest’s car–earning her the wrong kind of attention.
6. Look at perceived threats
Sometimes a perceived risk can also work well. Meaning, the character thinks something is at risk, when it actually isn’t. Multiple times in the Harry Potter series, Harry is at risk of being killed or expelled, but since we know there are more books in the series, we can surmise that he won’t be … at least not until near the end, probably.
Or perhaps you are writing about a child who thinks if she lies to her teacher, she’ll go to jail. This is obviously not true, but to her, it’s a possibility.
When perceived threats are written well, it can often feel as if they are real, even when the audience knows they aren’t. This can be effective to layer on (and is better than nothing), but needs to be mixed up with the others, as its often not as powerful.
With these six approaches, you should be armed to brainstorm more, significant stakes. To learn more about stakes, you can read my other article on them here: How to Write Stakes in Storytelling.
More Posts from Nchant6dkitty and Others
“Maybe you’re not so bad after all,” and other Rivals-to-Lovers prompts
“I can’t believe I’m on a team with you.”
“I just want to punch them in their annoying stupid beautiful face- uh, I mean stupid face!”
“So do you want to talk about-”
“Nope. Didn’t happen. We never speak about it.”
“But we-”
“I have no clue what you’re taking about.”
“Is that all you’ve got?”
“I’m touched that I can make you so angry; for a moment I thought you might’ve been emotionless.”
“Don’t get too comfortable.”
“I thought you hated them.”
“I do.”
“Then why...?”
“We all have to make exceptions, sometimes.”
“Maybe you’re not so bad after all.”
“Oh, no, I definitely am.”
“You’re cute when you’re angry.”
“And I’m not going easy on you this time.”
“Can I stay with you? Just for a little while?”
“Me?”
“Yes, you.”
“I thought I’d be the last person you’d want around while you’re down.”
Yeah... well I just didn’t want to be alone.”
Text:
“What’s it doing?” I asked, watching the train inch through the station.
“Looking for a conductor,” she answered. “The train will take good care of you, but you can never get off.”
Fictional kisses I heart . ( Kiss prompts ! )
I don't know who cares about what I like but I'm just gonna pour it out here anyway. Hehe ~
Kissing their forehead .
Kissing their cheek . ( Including kissing their already blushing cheeks )
Answering a question / stopping a doubt with a kiss .
Shoulder kisses .
Top of head kisses .
Pecking their lips .
Hand kisses . ( Like kissing their knuckles/ palm / fingers )
Sleepy and sloppy kisses where they've just woken up or are sleepy or are tired.
Kissing their scars .
Kissing their nose .
Neck kisses .
Sweet stolen kisses. ( Like the impulsive ones where their lover is talking and they just do it because they look breathtaking or just kissable?)
Kissing their chin ( um, not common but still ...! )
Kissing their tears.
Just kissing then to make them feel better because they're down or sad .
Giggling into kisses .
Smiling against their lips while kissing .
Smiling between kisses .
Cupping their face and kissing them .
Slow kisses ~
Kissing their eyelids.
Kissing the parts of the body they're insecure about .
Soft , tender kisses that end up passionate and intense.
Soft , light kisses on their erogenous zones . ( Not a perv but like on their earlobe / collarbone / wrist etc or wherever your OC is a little sensitive )
Making their breath fan their skin when they lean , lips brushing / nose brushing ... Then pulling away -for god knows what reasons! ( I SWEAR ALMOST KISSES ALWAYS KILL ME, UGH!! )
Staring at their lips while they lean in slowly their breathe hitching when their nose or lips brush .
Tucking them into bed or cuddling with them and pecking their lips when they fall asleep ( or kissing their forehead )
Those " goodnight " / " good morning " kisses that are soft / sloppy / just a peck .
Kissing their throat area..
Kissing their collarbone .
Those kisses where one is resisting their feelings and trying not to give in as the other tries to seduce them by kissing their sensitive areas..eg neck / collarbone/ earlobe etc and finally earning soft moans from them...
Angry , rough kisses where they're pouring all their frustrations into the kiss .
The final/ sad kiss where they're kissing and crying and the taste of salty tears mingles with the kiss.
Kissing their pout.
Kissing their frown .
Softly kissing them ( somewhat cautiously) to cheer them up because they're mad or disappointed in their lover.
Comforting kisses when their lover is really scared followed by whispered sweet nothings to calm them down .
Those passionate kisses ...probably mixed with tears after not seeing their lover for so long and finally making it back to each other . ( eg maybe they thought they were dead or travelled for a long time or whatever )
Soft , tender kisses along with soft caresses of their hair .
Licking their lips before or after kissing.
Part 2 may be coming soon . When I think of more ...
Back to the Wall
“You’ve got me… Now what?”
“Don’t tell me you’re chickening out.”
“You’re mine now.”
“Your lips look so soft from up close. Kissable.”
“You look like you want to devour me.”
“No where to run. But you didn’t want to escape, did you?”
“Your heart’s racing. What are you afraid I’m going to do?”
“I can’t resist you.”
“I knew I could get you to chase me. You’re so easy to rile up.”
“You’re shaking… ”
“No more teasing.”
“You’ve been taunting me all day. Was this what you were after?”
“As they say, turnabout is fair play.”
“You thought I was just going to lay back and take it?”
“You’re starting to realize you’re in over your head, aren’t you?”
“I’m going to take what’s mine.”
“Now that I’ve caught you - on your knees.”
“You shiver every time I breathe in your ear. How cute~.”
“You didn’t know you were into this, did you?”
“Fuck, I love it when you do this.”
“Don’t forget who’s in control.”
“You’ve been pushing your luck. This is a reminder of who’s in charge.”
“Are you gonna give it to me? Or are you all bark and no bite?”
“Don’t get cocky.”
“I hope this is going where I think it is.”
“Don’t worry, I like things a bit rough.”
“Now that’s what I call foreplay.”
“You’re hot as hell when you get all in my face like this.”
“Is that it? Didn’t you want to prove a point?”
“I can feel how bad you want me. Give in.”
“If you want out, this is your last chance.”
more little intimate things that make me blush
you and your lover in bed together late at night, but you two are just softly whispering to each other about anything and everything as you lay next to each other. the gentle whispers and peaceful atmosphere put you in such a calm state of mind that eventually pulls you into the best deep sleep.
when you are nervous and avoiding eye contact with your crush or lover and they suddenly stand closer to you and whisper, "look at me."
literally any endearing nickname. baby, sweetheart, angel, darling, beautiful, etc. omg i melt... (bonus points if the nickname is something random that only the couple would understand like an inside joke between them only)
someone leaning against the doorframe with the sweetest smile on their face just watching their lover get ready to go out.
"how did i get so lucky to have you in my life?"
your lover knowing exactly how you like your tea or coffee and them bringing it to you in bed in the morning with a kiss on your forehead.
when your crush or lover gifts you with something that you briefly mentioned wanting to have some time ago, not having any idea how much they were paying attention to what you were saying.
"i just want you to be happy."
two people being each other's safe space and finding a home within each other. a home where they feel completely comfortable being themselves and where they find the kind of peace that unconditional love brings.
"you are my home."
Words to replace said, except this actually helps
I got pretty fed up with looking for words to replace said because they weren’t sorted in a way I could easily use/find them for the right time. So I did some myself.
IN RESPONSE TO Acknowledged Answered Protested
INPUT/JOIN CONVERSATION/ASK Added Implored Inquired Insisted Proposed Queried Questioned Recommended Testified
GUILTY/RELUCTANCE/SORRY Admitted Apologized Conceded Confessed Professed
FOR SOMEONE ELSE Advised Criticized Suggested
JUST CHECKING Affirmed Agreed Alleged Confirmed
LOUD Announced Chanted Crowed
LEWD/CUTE/SECRET SPY FEEL Appealed Disclosed Moaned
ANGRY FUCK OFF MATE WANNA FIGHT Argued Barked Challenged Cursed Fumed Growled Hissed Roared Swore
SMARTASS Articulated Asserted Assured Avowed Claimed Commanded Cross-examined Demanded Digressed Directed Foretold Instructed Interrupted Predicted Proclaimed Quoted Theorized
ASSHOLE Bellowed Boasted Bragged
NERVOUS TRAINWRECK Babbled Bawled Mumbled Sputtered Stammered Stuttered
SUAVE MOTHERFUCKER Bargained Divulged Disclosed Exhorted
FIRST OFF Began
LASTLY Concluded Concurred
WEAK PUSY Begged Blurted Complained Cried Faltered Fretted
HAPPY/LOL Cajoled Exclaimed Gushed Jested Joked Laughed
WEIRDLY HAPPY/EXCITED Extolled Jabbered Raved
BRUH, CHILL Cautioned Warned
ACTUALLY, YOU’RE WRONG Chided Contended Corrected Countered Debated Elaborated Objected Ranted Retorted
CHILL SAVAGE Commented Continued Observed Surmised
LISTEN BUDDY Enunciated Explained Elaborated Hinted Implied Lectured Reiterated Recited Reminded Stressed
BRUH I NEED U AND U NEED ME Confided Offered Urged
FINE Consented Decided
TOO EMO FULL OF EMOTIONS Croaked Lamented Pledged Sobbed Sympathized Wailed Whimpered
JUST SAYING Declared Decreed Mentioned Noted Pointed out Postulated Speculated Stated Told Vouched
WASN’T ME Denied Lied
EVIL SMARTASS Dictated Equivocated Ordered Reprimanded Threatened
BORED Droned Sighed
SHHHH IT’S QUIET TIME Echoed Mumbled Murmured Muttered Uttered Whispered
DRAMA QUEEN Exaggerated Panted Pleaded Prayed Preached
OH SHIT Gasped Marveled Screamed Screeched Shouted Shrieked Yelped Yelled
ANNOYED Grumbled Grunted Jeered Quipped Scolded Snapped Snarled Sneered
ANNOYING Nagged
I DON’T REALLY CARE BUT WHATEVER Guessed Ventured
I’M DRUNK OR JUST BEING WEIRDLY EXPRESSIVE FOR A POINT/SARCASM Hooted Howled Yowled
I WONDER Pondered Voiced Wondered
OH, YEAH, WHOOPS Recalled Recited Remembered
SURPRISE BITCH Revealed
IT SEEMS FAKE BUT OKAY/HA ACTUALLY FUNNY BUT I DON’T WANT TO LAUGH OUT LOUD Scoffed Snickered Snorted
BITCHY Tattled Taunted Teased
Nothing fancy… Just some angst & hurt/comfort prompts! Send me prompts if you want!
“I– I think I need to sit down.”
“I just want to be alone right now”
“I want to go home.”
“When you look at me it’s like you don’t even see me.”
“You need to stop this. I can’t watch you burn yourself out anymore.”
“Hey, it’s me. You’re safe.”
“Stop that. Hold still.”
“You’re looking a little pale.”
“You did everything you could.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“You have to help [him/her/them]. Please.”
“It reminded me of you.”
“Hush, it’s alright. None of it was real.”
“Can you just leave me alone? Can I have that at least?”
“I’m fine… just a little dizzy.”
“I think I messed up this time.”
“It was only a dream.”
“Is that what you honestly believe? After everything?”
“You were supposed to be there.”
“It’s not that bad.” “You’re [bleeding out/burning up]!”
“Why are you always so reckless, huh? Do you ever think about what would happen if something happened to you?”
“Please tell me what I can do. There has to be something I can do.”
“Something isn’t right.”
“You can lean on me.”
“You’ll only make it worse.”
“I never wanted this. I never wanted any of this.”
“You don’t need to stay.” “I don’t need to stay. But I want to.”
“Just go to sleep. I’ll protect you.”
“You’re a really bad liar.”
“What if there’s no happy ending for us?”
Tag list: @vanilla-chip-101 @sumerianempire @peachgummycandy
enemies to lovers dialogue prompts
“you?! why are you here?!”
“can’t believe i’m stuck here with you.”
“just stay away from me, okay?”
“shut up and mind your business.”
“wow. you suck at this.”
“i hate you.” “no you don’t.”
“you know you love me.”
“listen, let’s just get this over with, okay?”
“don’t touch me with your filthy hands.”
“why did i have to end up partnered with you of all people?”
“listen, just let me do all the work, okay? i’d rather not have you ruin everything.”
“stop acting like i wanted to be paired with you!”
“why do you hate me so much?”
“i’ve hated you since we were kids.”
“go away. i don’t wanna be seen around you.”
“god, this is why i hate you.”
“get out. you weren’t invited.”
“can you just pretend that you like me?”
“my friends always said you were terrible.”
“we belong to different types of people, okay?”
“don’t waste your breath talking to me.”
“hey-,” “shut up.” “i haven’t even said anything yet!”
“ha! you’re so stupid!”
“you’re such an asshole!”
“aww, are you gonna cry?”
“you’re sickening.”
“because i’m jealous of you!”
“i hate people like you.”
“please. we could never be a thing.”
“me? with them? you must be joking.”
“they hate me, and i don’t know why.”
Dialogue / otp prompt !
A comes to the kitchen / dinning table and sees B aggressively / angrily stabbing their food with a fork. (Because B is pissed at something / had a bad day ? )
A: ...what are you doing ?
B: Can't you see I'm forking the food ?!
A... laughs .
B : glares and points the fork at A . Stop laughing .. - Or I'll fork you too !
A: snickers and smirks. Oh yeah? I'll like to see you try.
* Based on a true incident of mine * lol . Thought it'd be a good prompt for y'all.
Kissing Prompts
A kiss as a distraction.
Getting so used to someone kissing one’s hand that they kiss it themselves when they miss the other.
Waking them up with gentle kisses across their face, feeling them smile a little when the corner of their mouth is kissed.
Kissing new scars
Kissing old scars
Kissing the inside of the wrist (a good option to use for 2 above)
A kiss on the top of their head
Kissing the earlobe/behind the ear
Forget kissing the back of the hand, kiss their fingers instead
Gentle kisses down their spine, causing them to relax for the first time in a long time.
Kissing the knees or shins.
The first kiss they’ve had in a long time
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